The Lethbridge Police Service is gearing up for the 2023 Christmas Hope campaign on December 2. (Photo from 2022 Christmas Hope: Lethbridge Police Service)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge Police to conduct Charity Checkstop Dec. 2

Nov 27, 2023 | 7:49 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – An annual holiday fundraiser will be held by local police officers this coming weekend.

On Saturday, December 2, 2023, the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) will launch its fourth Annual Charity Checkstop campaign.

From 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., officers will be in the west parking lot at Park Place Mall, near the former Sears location, to collect new toys, gifts, and donations of cash and food.

Donations will go to the Christmas Hope initiative, a collaboration between the Interfaith Food Bank, Lethbridge Food Bank, Lethbridge Family Services (Angel Tree), MyCityCare (Shop of Wonders), Salvation Army (Toys for Tots), and Volunteer Lethbridge.

LPS Cst. Brooklyn Peterson said the goal of Christmas Hope is to support families in need and ensure every child can receive meaningful gifts on Christmas morning.

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“Lethbridge is such a generous community and I really think that our new location beside Park Place Mall will make it even more convenient for people to come and donate, especially when they’re already coming to do their own Christmas shopping,” said Peterson.

She added, “With all this support and the new location, my hope is that this will be the most successful Charity Checkstop to date.”

Michelle Gallucci, Director of Advancement & Communications with Lethbridge Family Services and a member of Christmas Hope, said the Charity Checkstop is an exciting shared experience that demonstrates kindness in the community.

“We believe that illuminating Christmas spirit is more important than ever for our children and families in Lethbridge who need assistance,” said Gallucci.

The 2023 edition of Christmas Hope launched on November 17 and organizers have committed to helping 3,500 adults and 6,500 children.

That is an increase from the 2022 Christmas Hope event, as recent reports have shown that visits to food banks in Lethbridge have doubled over the last year and that many Albertans are struggling to pay their bills.

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